RUSS Romaniuk left South Wales with one thought - to play for the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team again next season, writes Terry Phillips.

The former NHL player returned to Canada with a remarkable message for Devils fans, saying: "That was the most fulfilling year of my career as a professional player."

That is a huge compliment from a player who competed at the highest level with NHL clubs Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers plus the Canadian national team.

"Okay, I've played hockey at a certain level, but I have no doubt at all my season with the Devils has been the most fulfilling," said Romaniuk. "Maybe it was because Cardiff Devils needed somebody to step up and be a leader.

"I hope and believe I did that - and I wasn't the only one.

"There are a dozen players who took a lead in their own way and this was a fantastic team to play for.

"There was a lot of pressure, but everybody stood tall and stood together.

"I just wish we could have given the Devils fans the play-off success both they and we wanted, but it was a powerful finish and we put the record straight by going all the way to the final."

Top scorer Romaniuk, who finished the season with more than 30 goals, is keen to return next season, saying: "I hope things can be worked out so that we can all return and play for Cardiff.

"I don't know a player from our locker room who doesn't want to return."

The former Las Vegas Thunder, Nuernberg Ice Tigers (DEL, Germany) and Manchester Storm winger is now back in North America for the summer awaiting news of developments in British hockey.